Notice of Early Public and Governmental Engagement for Potential Designation of Tribal Energy Access, Southwestern Grid Connector, and Lake Erie-Canada National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing this Notice of Early Public and Governmental Engagement to invite input and comment from Federal and State agencies, regional entities, Tribal and local governments, the public, and other interested parties on DOE's consideration of three potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). This notice also provides date, time, and registration information for informational webinars regarding the potential NIETCs. DOE is seeking input and comments on the possible scope of analysis, including environmental, cultural, or socioeconomic effects should DOE designate any of the potential NIETCs, and the contents of DOE's engagement framework, including appropriate methods and locations of future NIETC-specific meetings. DOE also invites any other relevant feedback. Following consideration of comments and suggestions, DOE intends to refine geographic boundaries of the three potential NIETCs identified in this notice and determine its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental review requirements for each potential NIETC designation identified in this notice. If DOE determines that NIETC designation is a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, DOE will subsequently begin any necessary NEPA process. If DOE determines that NIETC designation is not a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, then DOE expects that NEPA would not apply.